1. Polska Prezydencja w Radzie Unii Europejskiej 2011 Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2011 Présidence polonaise du Conseil de lUnion européenne 2011 Summary of answers to detailed questions from thePresidency Note on the networking instrument for European cities and towns. Towards URBACT III Maciej Kolczyński Warsaw, 27 September 2011

2. Main focus on areas for consideration with regard to the future cities networking instrument and the future of URBACT. URBACT III versus broader elements of future CP, especially its urban dimension; Building capacities and skills in European cities, regions, Member States and across EU; Thematic scope – stronger strategic focus. Answers from 9 countries [Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia and Spain] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.272

3. Openness of opportunity for cities networking within one country under the URBACT III diverse positions of MS 5/7 in favour but...only as an option (with some restrictions) and voluntarily for MS. 2 MS opposite - URBACT should remain a program for joint urban networks across the entire Europe = networking within one country under national and/or regional policy. European networking as a main focus of URBACT III Building capacities and skills in European cities, regions, Member States and across the EU [Q 1-4] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.273

4. Participation of regional and national authorities regional and national level should be able to participate in some parts of URBACT III [8 MS] clear focus on partners representing cities. not obligatory, no extra cost burdens to the authorities. national/regional authorities should participate in URBACT III as National Dissemination Point and as a member of ULSG – so the same approach as it is now. positive aspects of participation of regional and national authorities in URBACT pointed out by MS compensation for lacking administrative capacities of smaller towns; enhancement/accumulation of resources that are needed to implement projects; engagement in EU level networking and to ensure practical application of project results at national/regional level. strengthening the operational level and the political support wherever urban development programmes are to be managed. Building capacities and skills in European cities, regions, Member States and across the EU [Q 1-4] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.274

5. 5 Support for MA of Mainstream OP by URBACT III in regard to their capacity building on integrated urban development 6/7 MS in favour of such support (resources, some training instrument) ovoluntary basis + close cooperation with national authorities issue to be further investigated and discussed in detail, also by MC of URBACT one has take into account the diversity of structures and aims of OPs, as well as capability in this respect only one MS against - URBACT should not become a kind of qualification programme for the administration. Building capacities and skills in European cities, regions, Member States and across the EU [Q 1-4] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP)

6. 20.09.116 What other specific actors should be involved and encouraged to participate in URBACT projects? Cities as a main target group of URBACT III Broad range of necessary stakeholders [7 MS] Building capacities and skills in European cities, regions, Member States and across the EU [Q 1-4] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) ocities associations, oactors recommended by MAs, olocal chambers of commerce and industry, ostakeholders from civil society and NGOs (e.g. environmental, migrants and youth associations), ouniversities, research institutes, oenterprises, olocal authorities, oregional and national authorities of project related spheres, oactors dealing with sector policies and being involved in civil society processes.

7. 20.09.117 Europe 2020 strategy URBACT III should respect the specific needs and requirements of cities and MS in responding to the targets of Europe 2020. Another document mentioned by 2 MS, which should be taken into account in thematic scope of URBACT III was the Territorial Agenda 2020. Additional themes were mentioned not strictly connected with EU2020, but important for cities. ointegrated urban development strategies and development; ofostering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in urban areas; ofostering smart, sustainable and inclusive urban-rural linkages; ofostering integrated urban regeneration; oresponding to challenges of climate change and environmental risks; Thematic scope – stronger strategic focus [Q 5-8] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP)

8. 20.09.118 Europe 2020 strategy Additional themes (…) oimproving sustainable territorial connectivity – for instance improving sustainable and smart transport and mobility systems of urban areas and agglomerations; odeveloping/using metropolitan structures and strengthening the links between innovation strategies and urban development; opromoting green, compact and energy-efficient cities; ocombating multiple deprivation, poverty and the segregation of ethnic groups and rehabilitating disadvantaged urban areas; oaddressing ageing population issues and demographic change in cities. Thematic scope – stronger strategic focus [Q 5-8] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP)

9. 9 Thematic scope – stronger strategic focus [Q 5-8] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.27 Better relation of URBACT III with other strands of ETC To link URBACT with ESPON, INTERREG IV C and INTERACT. Better relation can be ensured by: oestablishing a communication platform for project partners from different ETC-strands, dealing with urban topics; othematic consultations and information exchanges; ofacilitating the project-related cooperation between the different strands of European Territorial Cooperation; This relates first of all to reduce managerial burdens.

10. 10 Thematic scope – stronger strategic focus [Q 5-8] How can a better coherence between the networking programme and other EU programmes be achieved? necessity to involve the different European Commission DGs competent for thematic areas covered by the URBACT in the management of the programme and in the dissemination of knowledge [2 MS] oREGIO, AGRI, EAC, ENV, Enterprise and Industry etc. = better coherence with other EU programmes and policies can be achieved. Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.27

11. 11 Thematic scope – stronger strategic focus [Q 5-8] Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.27 Also the link with MAs of programmes (Objective 1 and 2) was indicated as necessary [2 MS], especially: ensuring timely and simultaneous discussion and programming process for ETC programmes and Objective 1 and 2 OPs to ensure internal coherence and complementarity as well as adequate distribution of funds, improving their awareness about what are the flagship projects in urban world, and thus relevant for funding, link with mainstream programmes is enough and should not be strengthen in the future [1 MS], necessity to ensure relation of URBACT also with different initiatives and programmes such as RFSC, Smart cities and communities, EUKN [Q 7 and 8].

12. 12 Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) All MS support continuation of URBACT II in the next programming period, but with some improvements, Detailed solutions have to be further discussed, as there are different opinion and ideas in this matter, The evolution of URBACT has to be also discussed together with the general provisions concerning urban dimension in the CP. Summary 20.09.27 www.mrr.gov.pl/eic2011

13. Thank you for your attention! Joint Meeting of the Urban Development Group (UDG) and the Network of Territorial Cohesion Contact Points (NTCCP) 20.09.27